Salary increases approved by BIC School Board

Wednesday, May 18, 2005By NAN SNIDER Town Crier News Staff

The BIC School Board approved salary increases, hired new personnel, made several reassignments and implemented a drug screening policy for employees at the meeting May 9 in the junior high library in Leachville.

Administration salaries were reviewed from surrounding districts. After discussion the board voted to the following increases: Superintendent George Edd Holland, $6,000; Randy Rose and Homer Craig (12 months), $4,000 each; Mari Hayden and Kima Stewart (10 months), $3,333 each; and Shirley Cato's salary for the 2005-2006 school year as Dean of Students/Assistant Principal will be $48,828. Stewart's salary will also be increased for the 2005-2006 school year by $2,500 for extra duties and responsibilities associated with being Director of Elementary Education for the district.

Certified salary increases include: 5 percent for all positions except Title 1, LEP Aides, and Special Needs Aides, which will receive $500 each, and lunchroom employees, which will receive a 30 cent per hour increase. Certified base salary increase includes, 190 day contract, from $28,838 to $29,500.

Increases in special duties, assignments and responsibilities include: cheerleading sponsorship, from $750 to $1,000; student council sponsorship, from $500 to $750; high school baseball, from $1,000 to $1,250; high school softball, from $750 to $1,250; instrumental music, from $500 to $750; golf, from $400 to $750; junior class sponsorship, from $500 to $750; after school detention, from $12.50 to $15; girls basketball, from $2,200 to $2,500; boys basketball, from $2,200 to $2,500; test co-ordinator, from $1,000 to $1,250; building test co-ordinator, from $500 to $750; athletic director, from $3,316 to $3,750; assistant basketball coach, from $1,000 to $1,250; seventh grade basketball coach, from $250 to $500; concessions, from $10 per hour to $12.50 per hour; gate keeper, from $10 per game to $12.50 per hour; bus trip, from $5.15 per hour to $8.93 per hour; parent center co-ordinator, from $500 to $650; and yearbook advisor, from $200 to $400. All Title 1 and Migrant contracts were renewed.

The board approved elementary personnel reassignments, as recommended by Kima Stewart, director of elementary education. Transfers include Melinda Wells, from third East to third West; Reba Wimberley, from third West to sixth West; Karen Wallace, from third West to fourth West; and Shirley Cato, from fourth West to Dean of Students/Assistant Principal East Elementary. New Personnel include: Jennifer McFarland, third West; Heather Williams, third East; and Patty Qualls, sixth East.

The board voted to accept the resignation of Cindy Crawford, junior high science teacher.

Board members, Bill Misner and Darrin McFall, left the board meeting during the consideration of their wives for two junior high faculty positions, which included junior high science and junior high Special Education. The new ethics law (Act 1381 of 2005) was discussed. Under Act 1381 relatives of board members may not be hired except under certain conditions and approval must be granted by the Director of the State Department of Education. If approval is not granted the board member in question may resign or the faculty position will be open.

The board voted to offer the junior high science position to Mandy McFall and the junior high Special Education position to Gena Misner, subject to approval by the Director of the State Department of Education and that a resolution be prepared by Superintendent Holland to be forwarded to the State Department requesting approval.

Stewart reviewed Federal Programs surveys, for both classified and certified, and reported on results of a recent employee questionnaire reviewing needs and future district changes.

"Sports and an elite faculty were listed highest as our two greatest strengths," Stewart said. "Moving the ninth grade to high school was listed as change needed immediately. When asked if a new configuration of grades be considered, high school personnel listed yes 5 and no 2, junior high yes 8 and 2 no, East Elementary yes 9 and no 7, and West Elementary yes 11 and no 5."

"My main concern is that all the kids should have the same opportunities," board member Nathan Sanders said, "with the same opportunities on both elementary campuses."

"They can be equitable, but not identical," Stewart said. "We are always looking for balance, and fairness. It is hard to be identical with five core base classes on one campus and six on the other, but we can be equitable."

"Don't use any of that to not be equal," Sanders said. "If one group has drama, then the other group should have it, and so on. They should all be given the same opportunities, with all having it on none having it."

"I don't want them the see each other as the enemy, but rather as partners," Stewart said. "We can work together to maintain similar disciplines, philosophies, communication, curriculum and equal opportunities, while still having the spirit of individuality. One school may want to do volunteer programs one way, and the other school another."

Other board business included:

*Entered into a short executive session considering disciplining of school employee, but reconvened in open session without taking any action.

*Personnel policy recommendations were reviewed, and the board moved to require all new employees (both certified and classified) to pass a 90 day hair follicle screen for drugs as a condition of initial employment and that a policy concerning random drug testing for all school employees be considered at the June meeting.

*The board moved to renew the districts membership with the ASBA Risk Management Insurance Program and that earthquake coverage be included, at no additional cost.

*The board commended the BIC Band and FBLA for their performances and achievements in state and local competitions, and Karen McClelland and students at BIC sixth grade, for their Weyerhaeuser $1,000 recycling award.

*Reserved seating renewal prices in the BIC High School gym were set at $65 for the 2005-2006 season, with the athletic director in charge.

*The board discussed the need for a new softball park on the high school campus, and several different locations were looked at. No decision was made.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 13 in the office of the superintendent.